Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-02-26

OF maIc,ous, discreet. confidential service as
he has in this time His predecessor in the
main work Of selecting this great number of
small officials, Mr.. Mari, now chief clerk IN
the first assistant postmaster generals Office,
has been in the department fifty Years lie
now retains his place although lncapacItated
hv Old age from rendering active service. No
one of the thousands of clerks is mora regu-
larly at his desk than Mr.. Mari. Mr.. Fowler
appointS annually between 15,oH and Ii 600
postmasterS. a larger number than any one
man has to do with. 1t reflects great credit
upon him that his work provokcs 50 little
criticism, seeing that it deals with small com
munitieS where petty jeal"usies and rivalrie'
so often cut figure in the selection OF the
postmaster.
A great many curious things happen in the
correspondence which comes before the ap-
pointment clerk. An applicant for an inn
portaut office under the secretary of the in
terror wrote letter 10 the president after the
place had been filed by the appointment of
another applicant, expressing the hope that
something less important might lie given
him In his letter occurred the Following
sentence: Il shal live in hops althow di in
iesparen One of the antiques in the interior
department records is letter written by
citizen of Missouri to the Hon. Thomas Ew-
ing, in September, 1912 applying for an
office II is one of the most curious letters
probably that was ever written. There Is no
evidence in the records Of the departments
that the applicant ever received All appoint
ment. II Is As follows:
DEAR SIR-ThiS is TO inform you, and II rough
Won 10 inform the president, that am vii ing to
.l,,,f,,
vided il pays WE'LL but have very little cxpects-
tiun of getting one.
consider myself qualified to I'll almost any Of
fee: but there are hundreds Of others Who are as
well qualified as am, and perhaps better.
consider myself an honest man; but there are
thousands Of others equally honest
! am political friend Of the president; but
that is good reason why should receive an
appointment
lam a stranger 10 fame and fortune: but that
is no good reason why | should not receive one.
| should. OF course, like the best office; but
'-heSrars must not he choosers"
should like tO have an Office near home; but
do not wish any honest and capable officer turned
out to make room for me. who am untried.
] am n poor man: but / do not wish to plead
poverty
l am a farmer; hut that argues nothing for OF
against me
am also a surveyor; but there may b. a great
many better ones.
/ am a self taught man; but have much yet to
learn.
have the reputation Of great mathematician:
but do not wish 10 boast Of il.
have a small family: but everybody else
either has. or wishes to have.
have lived several wears in Missouri; but l am
vet unknown To fame
Ihave sought Office, il is true; out have seldom
been successfui.
| see a great many Offices bestowed at WASH
ington city, either yith or without merit; but
none have fallen TO my share.
This looks somewhat strange; but how could 1t
b. otherwise
The great probability is that never will obtain
one; but who knows
You may perhaps think am jesting with you
in thus applying for office; but assure yCu am
in earnest
You may accuse me- too Of egotsm and arro-
gance in thus addressing you: but how can ex
p,ct an Office unless ask for it,
You may perhaps wish TO have my character
before appointing Inc to office: but indeed
would not exchange my character for any Office
whatever
could perhaps get a good Recommendation
from my neighbOrs; but do not wish TO ask
them to tell lie for me.
IL You wish a reference to some person high in
Office, will refer you 10 the Ron John F Ry-
land, of our supreme court; but he knows very
little, if anything, about me.
II you can dn nothing for M in the way Of
Office, please write and say SO; but make no apol.
oGies
shaSl await anxiously reply to this letter;
but shall he agreeaby disappointed if get one.
Ny address is Pheasant Hill postoffice, Cass
talas Van Buren, county, Mo but what Of thats
In looking over this communication ! see as
many personal pronounS as if il had been written
by Col. Benton himself; but assure you 1t
not
could write more; but fear it would be vast.
ing time to no purpose.
No more; bIt remain yours, etc.
Sept. 10, 1879. MARTIN ScoTr.
To the Hon. Thomas Ewing.